Malicious Code Injection in living_moth_z3n Package
Summary
MAL-2025-87983: Malicious code in living_moth_z3n (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The living_moth_z3n package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores in exchange for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises its integrity and the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in the living_moth_z3n package originates from its malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially harming developers who rely on legitimate packages. The malicious code is part of a broader scheme to exploit the npm ecosystem for token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall living_moth_z3nIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can remove the living_moth_z3n package from your project by executing the following command: npm uninstall living_moth_z3n. This will prevent any malicious code from executing until a secure version is available.
Conclusion
The living_moth_z3n package contains a significant vulnerability that allows for the injection of malicious code, impacting the npm ecosystem. It is crucial for developers to take immediate action by updating or removing the package to safeguard their projects. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help in monitoring and managing vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
The living_moth_z3n package is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The vulnerability can lead to the pollution of the npm registry and may compromise the integrity of your project by introducing malicious code.
If you have installed the living_moth_z3n package, it is recommended to uninstall it immediately and check for any updates or patches.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
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